Snowmobile Arctic Cat (2009 year). Manual - part 9

OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS

29

6. On carbureted models for a cold

engine, move the choke lever to

the full-choke position. If the

engine is warm, choking is nor-

mally not necessary.

0725-001

 NOTE: On carbureted models
when the engine is being started
with aid of the choke, DO NOT
COMPRESS THE THROTTLE CON-
TROL LEVER. If the throttle control
lever is compressed, the engine
will not start because the gas/air
mixture will be too lean. To start a
warm engine, however, the throttle
control lever may have to be com-
pressed slightly.

 NOTE: On EFI models when a
cold engine is being started, DO
NOT COMPRESS THE THROTTLE
CONTROL LEVER. If the throttle
control lever is compressed, the
engine will not start because the
fuel/air mixture will be too lean.

 NOTE: On 2-stroke EFI models
when a warm engine is being
started, the throttle control lever
may have to be compressed
slightly.

7. On manual start models, pull the

recoil handle slowly until resis-

tance is felt; then give a short

quick pull. Repeat until the engine

starts.

 NOTE: On large-displacement
engines in extremely cold weather,
pull the recoil handle slowly two to
three times to begin the starting
procedure.

 NOTE: On electric start models,
rotate the key to the START posi-
tion; then when the engine starts,
release the key.

8. On carbureted models when the

engine starts, allow it to warm up

for approximately 30 seconds with

the choke lever in the full-choke

position. After the 30-second

warm-up, move the choke lever to

the middle position. The choke

lever should be moved to the OFF

position when engine is warm.

Slight throttle control lever com-

pression may be necessary after

the engine starts and during warm-

up. Idle the engine several minutes

until the engine has reached nor-

mal operating temperature.

9. On EFI models when the engine

starts, allow it to warm up prop-

erly. Idle the engine several min-

utes until the engine has reached

normal operating temperature. Do

not idle the engine for excessively

long periods of time.

! CAUTION

To avoid damaging the recoil
starter, DO NOT pull the recoil rope
to its limit or release the recoil han-
dle from an extended position.
Allow the rope to rewind slowly.

! CAUTION

Do not continuously run the starter
for more than 5 seconds at a time.

30

OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS

10. Flooding — On carbureted models

if the engine does not start when

the choke is being used but seems

ready to start, move the choke

lever to the OFF position. Engage

the brake lever lock; then com-

press the throttle control lever

fully and try to start the engine.

When the engine starts, release the

throttle control lever immediately.

After the warm-up, release the

brake lever lock.

 NOTE: Continued choking will
cause the engine to flood more.

11. Flooding — On EFI models if the

engine does not start but seems

ready to start, engage the brake

lever lock; then compress the throt-

tle control lever fully and try to

start the engine. When the engine

starts, release the throttle control

lever immediately. After the warm-

up, release the brake lever lock.

 NOTE: On EFI models except the
1100 cc models if the engine fails
to start during the attempt with the
throttle control lever compressed,
remove the spark plugs and clean
and dry them thoroughly or install
a new set of properly gapped, rec-
ommended spark plugs.

 NOTE: On the 1100 cc models if
spark plugs must be replaced, take
the snowmobile to an authorized
Arctic Cat Snowmobile dealer for
inspection and service. This ser-
vice is at the discretion and
expense of the snowmobile owner.

12. To shut off the engine, turn the

ignition key to the OFF position or

push the emergency stop switch to
the DOWN position.

BRAKING

The following items are items that the

operator must be familiar with when

operating this snowmobile and its

hydraulic brake system. Important

additional information on the proper

maintenance of the brake system is

found in the maintenance section of

this manual.

1. Use the brakes wisely. Each time

the brakes are applied in all

hydraulic brake systems (including

automotive applications), heat is

transferred to the brake fluid. The

amount of heat transferred during

high speed stops and/or repetitive

use may be high enough to boil the

brake fluid and cause the brakes to

either fade or may cause an unex-

pected loss of brakes. 

! CAUTION

It is extremely important that the
engine is properly warmed up
before subjecting the engine to
high speed operation or heavy
loads. The engine should be
allowed to idle at least 3-4 minutes
before it is operated at more than
1/2 throttle. In extremely cold con-
ditions, the warm-up time will be
longer. Cold seizure and piston
scuffing caused by insufficient
warm-up will not be covered by
warranty. Also, do not idle the
engine for excessively long peri-
ods of time.

! CAUTION

On the 1100 cc models, always
turn the ignition switch key to the
OFF position when the snowmo-
bile is not being used. Leaving the
ignition switch in the ON position
will result in discharging the bat-
tery and possible damage to the
battery.

OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS

31

If this occurs, the brake fluid

requires a cool-down period before

the brakes will again function

properly. This cool-down period

will vary depending upon the

ambient air temperature and the

temperature of the brake fluid. If

loss of brakes has occurred

because of high fluid tempera-

tures, do not operate the snowmo-

bile until the cool-down period has

expired and brake lever firmness

has returned.

2. Be sure to maintain the brake fluid

at the proper level and take care

not to get any moisture in the sys-

tem as moisture in the brake fluid

lowers the boiling point. If the

brake fluid is ever boiled (by high

speed stops or repetitive use) or if

moisture is allowed to enter the

system, it must be changed. Never

substitute or mix different types or

grades of brake fluid.

3. Never ride the brake. Even main-

taining minimal pressure on the

brake lever will cause the brake

pads to drag on the disc and may

overheat the brake fluid.

4. The brake lever lock is not a park-

ing brake and should not be

applied for periods exceeding 5

minutes. NEVER OPERATE THE

SNOWMOBILE WITH THE

BRAKE LEVER LOCK

ENGAGED.

5. Pumping the brake lever is permis-

sible; however, if pumping the

brake lever more than twice is nec-

essary to obtain the necessary

stopping power, immediately take

the snowmobile to an authorized

Arctic Cat Snowmobile dealer for

service. If not under warranty, this

service is at the discretion and

expense of the snowmobile owner.

6. When new brake pads are

installed, a “burnishing” process is

required. Drive the snowmobile

slowly and compress the brake

lever several times until the pads

just start to heat up; then allow

them to thoroughly cool down.

This process stabilizes the pad

material and extends the life of the

pads.

! WARNING

Excessive repetitive use of the
hydraulic brake for high speed
stops will cause overheating of the
brake fluid and premature brake
pad wear which will result in an
unexpected loss of brakes.

! WARNING

Use only Arctic Cat approved
brake fluid. Never substitute or mix
different types or grades of brake
fluid. Brake loss can result. Check
brake fluid level and pad wear
before each use. Brake loss can
result in severe injury or even
death.

! WARNING

The brake lever lock is not a park-
ing brake and should not be
applied for periods exceeding 5
minutes. The brake lever lock
maintains the brake lever in the
compressed position and main-
tains pressure against the brake
disc; however, after a period of
time, the pressure applied to the
brake disc may relax below the
amount required to hold the snow-
mobile stationary.

32

OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS

EMERGENCY 

STOPPING

There are several methods of stopping

or slowing the snowmobile under a

variety of situations. Identified in the

following chart are the ways a snow-

mobile may be brought to a stop and

the effectiveness under normal condi-

tions.

THROTTLE/IGNITION 

MONITOR SWITCH

The throttle control is equipped with a

monitor switch for safety purposes

which will stop the engine when a loss

of return spring force occurs. If ice

forms in the throttle system or if there

is some other malfunction of the throt-

tle system resulting in a loss of return

spring force, the monitor switch will

stop the engine when the throttle con-

trol lever is released.

If the snowmobile engine stops

abruptly when the throttle control lever

is released and the activation of the

monitor switch is suspected, use the

following procedure:

1. Rotate the ignition key to the OFF

position.

2. Remove ice and snow from the

throttle system and wait 5-10 min-

utes for the engine heat to thaw ice

from the throttle system.

3. Test the throttle control lever by

compressing and releasing it sev-

eral times. The lever MUST return

to the idle position quickly and

completely.

 NOTE: If the throttle control lever
operates properly and the engine
does not start, compress the throt-
tle lever slightly (approximately 1/8
throttle) and try starting the
engine. If the engine now starts
and stops when the throttle lever is
released, take the snowmobile to
an authorized Arctic Cat Snowmo-
bile dealer for service. If not under
warranty, this service is at the dis-
cretion and expense of the snow-
mobile owner

.

4. If the throttle control lever oper-

ates properly, rotate the ignition

key to the RUN position and go

through normal starting proce-

dures.

ITEM

FUNCTION CONDITION

Emergency 

Stop Switch

interrupts igni-

tion circuit

ALL

Throttle/Igni-

tion Monitor 

Switch

interrupts igni-

tion circuit

ALL

Ignition 

Switch

interrupts igni-

tion circuit

ALL

Brake

slows the ACT 

drive

ALL

Choke (car-

bureted 

models)

floods the 

engine

1/2 throttle 

or less

! WARNING

If any malfunction of the throttle
system occurs (such as freezing in
fluffy snow) and the monitor switch
does not shut off the engine, press
down on the emergency stop
switch IMMEDIATELY to stop the
engine. DO NOT start the engine
until the malfunction in the throttle
system has been located and cor-
rected.

! WARNING

If the throttle control lever does not
work properly, DO NOT ATTEMPT
TO START THE ENGINE.